The #1 Reason Educators Stop Blogging…

I like to blog. At least I think I do, and I haven’t even done it that long. I’m a noob, shoobie, socks with sandals, or any other term you call a late to the party individual. I have heard in some circles that blogging has become passé, but we as educators still encourage our students to reflect. So, blogging as a form of reflection should never end in my world of educational theory. I have seen plenty of websites or blogs die around me. They were classmates of mine, a few colleagues at work, and even some high profile individuals I look up to. I’m sure everyone has a reason they stop blogging. I’m also sure that my #1 reason is a prediction and not a guarantee. I’ll give a top 10, but I would love to hear other reasons.

10. Time. Everyone is busy. I get it, why share your thoughts or ideas with the world if all that matters is getting through the work day and home life. The funny thing is, blogging can take minutes, even seconds, and provide you an escape from that time warp. Don’t quit!

9. $$$. How many edu bloggers out there thought their website would be incredibly unique? Lead to a book? Maybe you would get so many page views, you would collect paid advertisements? You blog a bit and nothing happens! Pipe dreams are great to have, but you shouldn’t get into blogging to build a business. I know plenty of educators who have, and if it happens, awesome! Let it happen is my point, don’t force it, don’t expect it. If you’re the bomb, I’m sure you’ll blow up!

8. Self-doubt. You write and you open your heart or classroom. Maybe in your grade level, school, or even district, it’s groundbreaking. Then you hit up Google and realize other teachers did the same thing 3 years ago. Don’t worry about what other people did. If it’s new to your students and it benefits them, then you did something amazing.

7. Lack of Material. I find this to be quite popular. Many blogs and websites from educators start because of mandates, course requirements, or self proclamations. The posts come firing out of the gates and then………. Don’t give up friends.

6. Absence of Vision. You can’t start blogging and just speak your mind day in and day out. Sure it would be cool, but what else will your website evolve into. EXAMPLE: I’m writing this post to help fellow bloggers who may be giving up.

5. Peer Pressure. I’ll never forget my first year as a teacher sitting in a union meeting. I was indirectly told to STOP maintaining an updated and “followable” classroom webpage (10 years ago). Why you may ask? If parents or administrators liked it, “we” would all have to do it. I have seen that mindset pass in my district, but I’m sure others still face it. It’s always hard to be the teacher celebrity in any school. Don’t believe the haters!

4. Poor Marketing. You want people to read your blog? You can’t make a website and expect people to magically find it! Who are you telling or asking to check your posts? Do you have subscription option? Are you Tweeting or blasting out your amazing thoughts? If you build it, they will only come if you have a gigantic blinking light over it!

3. Administration. I’m an administrator, but I call myself an educator. I’ll go on a whim and say that not all educators have a support system that allows them the avenue to voice their educational beliefs. My position is about innovation, allowing teachers the ability to blog is powerful. The key as writers is to assure you are not voicing a negative opinion about the school district. Allow teachers a voice.

2. Success. It’s easy to quit when you are at the top. You experience a bunch of visitors to your site and you made it. Why experience downside or defeat? Finishing on top is the best, right? We love to see a retiring quarterback walk away from a Super Bowl victorious. What better way to say you were a successful blogger? End your posts and walk away. Don’t stop if you become an instant sensation. We as educators need you. We need every voice with an idea and amazing voice. I bank on bloggers and tweeters with 100 followers and 100k followers.

1. Lack of Audience. Many educators don’t think anyone besides their relatives, graduate school professors, or sympathetic colleagues are reading their posts. Of those checking, they probably don’t even read the post (but a page view is a win regardless!). We live in a status checking frenzy of a world. Guilty as charged right here. I’m curious if my thoughts and writings are going beyond my fingertips and eyes, but I keep on blogging!
If you stopped blogging. You probably stopped reading blogs too. So, the beauty of my post is that if you are reading this your blog heart is still beating. Don’t give up! Keep sharing your awesomeness.